Aquatic Worms

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Sensitive Benthos

Moderately Tolerant Benthos

Pollution Tolerant Benthos

Clump of Tubifex Worms (Biodiversity of Malaysian Freshwater Worms)

Clumps of Tubifex Worms

Description:

resemble earth worms, but more slender; segmented; color is reddish, brown, or grey; reach lengths of up to 3 inches.

Reproduction:

hermaphroditic, similar to earth worms; fertilization and development of embryos occur in a cocoon.

Food:

like earth worms, they ingest large quantities of mud and filter out organic debris; fed upon by bottom feeders or fish.

Scientific Name:

Phylum: Annelida
Class: Oligochaetae
Order: varies

Indicator Role:

aquatic oligochaetes are generally found in soft mud bottoms, and in high numbers are considered indicators of very poor water quality.

Information Source:

McDonald, B., W. Borden, J. Lathrop.1990. Citizen Stream Monitoring: A Manual for Illinois. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, ILENR/RE-WR-90/18. Springfield, Illinois.

Other Links:

Oligochate (Aquatic Invertebrates of Montana)

Oligochaete

Aquatic Worms (nice pictures) from nwnature.net
Aquatic Worms from the Kentucky Biological Stream Assessment Water Watch Biological Monitoring Procedures
Illinois Natural History Survey Center for Annelida Resources
Oligochaetes in Aquatic Invertebates of Montana
Oligochaetae in in Freshwater Benthic Ecology and Aquatic Entomology Homepage
– S.M. Mandaville from the Soil & Water Conservation Society of MetroHalifax
Aquatic Worms and Leeches by the Lackawanna River Corridor Association

Biological Indicators | Aquatic Biodiversity | Statistical Primer